YVONNE
HAMSON
Over 20 years ago a lovely bubbly lady called Yvonne Hamson started the Apache
Line Dancers, with classes on both Southside and Northside of Brisbane. A fully
qualified judge and a very experienced teacher with a very energetic personality
that she took to all her classes, events and competitions.
Not long after learning line dancing with Yvonne, Yvonne formed a formation
team of over 25 dancers, where we competed with winning results and travelled
far and wide doing competitions and demonstrations. Every Sunday the dancers
would meet and practice, not wanting to miss a Sunday, to make sure Yvonne’s
dreams came true.
Our trips away were thoroughly enjoyed by not only us, but by the many people
that we met along the way, and however we travelled by road or train didn’t
stop us from line dancing. We would dance on the side of roads waiting for traffic
controllers to clear the way and dance on train platforms waiting for passengers
to come and go. Even with warnings by railway staff that if another line dancer
got off the train we will leave you there, still that didn’t deter us,
we kept on line dancing. So many memories, so many fantastic times did we all
have, that every outing was a party.
Yvonne’s love of line dancing always showed and she gave us more than
100% at any time. Not only did she coach the formation team but others in duo’s
and small teams with also winning results which I was a part of. We were so
very proud of Yvonne and I know that she was proud of us.
Quite often Yvonne would hand me a dance sheet to learn a dance, just in case
I was needed to teach it, and as this became very regular, I knew that her illness
was serious. The day that Yvonne offered me her club, is something that I will
never forget and never expected to have. Through Yvonnes’ guidance, leadership
and love of line dancing has helped made the club as successful today as what
is was back then.
Eventhough the club’s competitive days are over, and do very limited demonstrations, most the club members travel the countryside attending socials and workshops, and I still have
dancers with me who started with Yvonne all those years ago.
Yvonne had retired to South Australia coping very well with her illness
with the help and strength of her partner Merv, but not wanting to be defeated in
anything she does, her bubbly personality keeps shining through.

The
APACHE LINE DANCERS is a registered business operated by me. The club has
5 classes a week at Albany Creek, Caboolture, Deception Bay and Petrie
covering beginners to advanced levels.

(2003) Our most recent shot of fame came when most of our dancers performed
in the arena spectacular in Brisbane of THE MAN FROM SNOWY RIVER . After the
show was taken around Australia the producers of the show found Brisbane audiences
and performers to be the best and we had another bite of the cherry and performed
again a few months later to more packed audiences. A thoroughly fun time was
had by all, especially rubbing shoulders with so many famous people.

(2004)
THE BRISBANE BOOTSCOOTERS BALL: Is a very successful yearly event supported
by dancers and teachers who travel from areas of Brisbane, surrounding suburbs,
even as far as north on the Sunshine Coast and South on the Gold Coast. The
ball has a limit of 200 people and for a low cost of $20 is held on the 3rd Saturday in July. Price includes a variety
of meals/suppers in accordance with the theme of the event, as well as the
chance to win one of the many lucky door prizes. A programme is designed to
cover all levels, with split floors. Themes have included: 2005 - Brown, Cream,
Green; 2006 - Red, White, Blue; 2007 - Cowboys & Indians; 2008 - Rock
n Roll; 2009 - Christmas in July; 2010 - Ties, Scarves & Vests; 2011 -
Let's Go Nautical; 2012 - Witches & Wizards; ;2013 - Denim Diamonds; 2014 - Angels & Devils; 2015 - Mexican Fiesta and 2016 - The Outback

(2006)
100 DANCE SOCIAL: When I first started this social I had one a year, but by
popular demand was increased to two a year. Another successful and fun day
is had by all, especially trying to remember all 100 dances. There are dancers
that are there from start to finish, only stopping for a break during a dance
they do so many times. The price of $15.00 (held 3rd Satuday March & September) includes the chance to win one of the many
lucky door & lucky spot prizes. The event is BYO nibbles, so come give it a go, you sure will
have a memorable, energetic and fun time.